Noting that some farmers are still planting seeds from the previous harvest, scientists from public universities and research institutions said that this was one of the primary causes of poor production.

Dr Ochieng spoke Sunday during the launch of the Egerton Chapter of the Kenya University Biotechnology Consortium, in Nakuru.

A group of scientists have warned farmers against using the same type of farm inputs saying the trend was to blame for reduced yields.

•About 1.6m face food shortage
•About 1.6 million people from 23 counties who are facing an acute food shortage due to failed rains began to receive food aid last month.
•In the past decade Kiambu has metamorphosed from an agricultural county to a suburb with commercial houses taking the place of coffee bushes.

•The official said the ministry would provide the affected families with 5,000 bags of maize seed, 5,000 bags of DAP fertiliser and 5,000 bags of top dressing fertiliser.

•“The ministry will also provide 2,500 beehives in Baringo North Sub-County alone. We are planning to have a 300-acre demonstration plot, where farmers will get hay for their livestock,” said Mr Koskei.